Akron is a stunning participant in Cleveland, after trailing at Western Michigan 18-0 and 27-4, before storming back to win, 79-78.

No. 8 Central Michigan (19-13) also made it to Cleveland, to meet top-seeded Buffalo (23-8) at noon Thursday, following the Chippewas’ 81-77 overtime victory over Bowling Green in Mount Pleasant on Monday.

Murphy is in his seventh season in Ypsilanti — his contract was automatically extended through March 2020 after earning his 20th win of the season in the regular-season finale — and this might be his most talented team yet, even if it’s taken a while to get it together.

Minnie (Robert Morris) and Jackson (Eastern Kentucky) were transfers, and sat out last season because of NCAA regulations.

Jackson, in particularly, was key, Murphy said — even if took time.

“Everybody wants it immediately. They want the now,” Murphy said. “You have to understand how important it is to let it play out.

“We had to explain to Paul Jackson, once he started to get others involved, then get himself involved, he will get better and will be better. He’s buying into being a playmaker.”

The Eagles are second-worst in the MAC in scoring offense (72.1 ppg), but that’s just fine, given they are the best team in the MAC in scoring defense (67.2). They limit opponents to 40.7 percent shooting, also best in the MAC, though they’re a little more vulnerable to opponents’ 3-point shooting (35.1 percent, seventh in the MAC).

Eastern Michigan also is the best team in the conference in blocks and steals, and is second in turnover margin.

As seen in the Horizon League tournament this week at Little Caesars Arena, defense tends to play a huge role this time of year. That’s what the Eagles are banking on, in searching for their first trip to the NCAA Tournament since 1998.

“I give my staff a lot of credit, they continued to get our guys to buy in,” Murphy said. “The last nine games, we played one bad half of basketball.”